Hand massage tool

Abstract

A massage tool with which a professional massager can apply the full force generated by their arm to a precise body area, without any finger or wrist stress, even over indefinitely prolonged periods is disclosed. The massage tool comprises: an elongate handle member adapted to lay across the palm of a hand and be encircled by the fingers; a first leg member extending outwardly from one end portion of the elongate handle member; a first foot member extending from the outward end portion of the first leg member in a direction lateral to, and away from the palm of the hand. The foot member has a length exceeding the thickness of the thumb and has a heel portion, side portions, and an outside end portion all of which are adapted for rubbing. The leg member is generally the length of the thumb so that the inner side of the thumb may lay along the front side portion of the leg member and the end of the thumb may press against the top side portion of the foot member. In a preferred embodiment the massage tool includes a second leg member and foot member so that one can rub with either the foot in the heel of one's hand or with the foot positioned adjacent to one's thumb. Most preferably the tool is made of ceramic.

I claim: 
     
       1. A massage tool conmprising: an elongate handle member adapted to lay across the palm of a hand and be closely encircled by all of the fingers in the hand;   a first elongate leg member angling obliquely away from one end portion of the elongate handle member;   a first foot member extending away from the outward end portion of the first leg member in the same general direction as the handle member; and,   the foot member has a heel portion, side portions, and an outside end portion all of which are adapted for rubbing massage therewith;   configured so that one's thumb may lay flat and continuously along the leg member and an end portion of one's thumb would press against a top portion of the foot member when massaging with a bottom side portion of the foot member.   
     
     
       2. A massage tool as in claim 1 wherein the leg member is adapted so that the inner side of the thumb may lay along the front side portion of the leg member and the end of the thumb may press against the top side portion of the foot member. 
     
     
       3. A massage tool as in claim 2 wherein the elongate handle member has a generally elliptical cross section to facilitate holding without rolling. 
     
     
       4. A massage tool as in claim 1 further comprising a second elongate leg member angling obliquely away from the other end portion of the elongate handle member in a direction generally opposite to the first leg member. 
     
     
       5. A massage tool as in claim 4 further comprising a second foot member, having a heel portion, side portions and an outside end portion thereof all of which are adapted for rubbing massage therewith, extending away from the outward end portion of the second leg member in the same general direction as the handle member so that when the handle portion is held in a palm of one's hand, closely encircled by all of the fingers in the hand, and when a heel of one's hand is laid along the second leg and foot member, one may rub forcefully with the second foot member, not transmitting through one's fingers but with the full strength of one's arm. 
     
     
       6. A massage tool as in claim 5 wherein the foot members have differing shapes and sizes to facilitate rubbing with differing pressures and penetration. 
     
     
       7. A massage tool as in claim 5 wherein the foot members extend generally parallel to the elongate handle member. 
     
     
       8. A massage tool as in claim 7 wherein one foot member is adapted to have the general shape and size of an end of a finger. 
     
     
       9. A massage tool as in claim 8 wherein the leg members extend parallel to each other. 
     
     
       10. A massage tool as in claim 9 wherein the angle formed between each leg member and the elongate handle member is an obtuse angle and the elongate handle member is generally shorter than the width of the hand. 
     
     
       11. A massage tool as in claim 10 wherein the elongate handle member is roughened and ribbed to facilitate non-slip gripping. 
     
     
       12. A massage tool as in claim 7 wherein one foot member has an enlarged mushroom shaped end portion for large area massage. 
     
     
       13. A massage tool as in claim 1 which is made from a ceramic material. 
     
     
       14. A massage tool as in claim 13 wherein the foot members are glazed and the handle member is not glazed. 
     
     
       15. A massage tool as in claim 14 wherein the ceramic material contains a strengthening compound. 
     
     
       16. A massage tools as in claim 15 wherein the strengthening compound is aluminum oxide. 
     
     
       17. A method of making a massage tool having rubbing surfaces comprising the following steps: molding a clay into the shape of the massage tool of claim 1;   baking the clay;   glazing the clay on the rubbing surfaces of the massage tool.